Hannah Mello-Bio 210

Reproduction

Zoogenetes harpa is ovoviviparous. This means that the eggs are held
within the mother until they are ready to emerge (Hickmanet al. 2009).This
allows for a level of protection from environmental damage and predation.
There are no larval stages like in snails that occupy an aquatic habitat and
no parasitic stage like those who go through a glochidia stage. This could
be due to the habitat of the species. Ovoviviparity is beneficial in
habitats where the amount of rainfall and other environmental conditions is
often in question (Heller et al. 1997). As someone who
resides in the cold, unforgiving northcountry where this snail resides, I
can tell you that environmental conditions are always changing and
uncertain.